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INVESTIGATOR: Park, J.; Dasgupta, S.; Recsetar, M.; Chen, Y.; Heikes, D.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
UNIV OF ARKANSAS
PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS 71601

DESIGN-BUILD EXTENSION DELIVERY: A NEW, INTEGRATED MODEL FOR RAPID, COST-EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: U.S. farmers have relied on increasing productivity through adoption of the latest research technologies and advances to remain competitive. Large agri-business corporations rely on internal research and development to improve economic performance. However, small- and limited-resource farmers depend on land-grant universities. Universities have begun to encourage researchers to protect technologies through patents to generate revenue. This trend is leaving small- and limited-resource farmers farther and farther. The challenge for land-grant universities is to seek new ways to respond effectively and more rapidly to clientele needs, but with shrinking budgets, and need to find more innovative, less expensive, and more rapid extension methodologies. This project will enhance UAPB's ability to respond to clientele needs by integrating R&D with technology transfer in a compressed time frame. This innovative, new extension model will then be presented at regional, national, and international professional meetings to extend the concept and methodology to extension professionals elsewhere. The proposed approach is to test a new extension model based on the design-build approach in use by engineers. This project will involve closely-coordinated partnerships with research and extension personnel and fish farmers. Extensive coordination and communication will be needed in real time to integrate the expertise and insights of the engineers, aquaculture specialists, and economists involved in this process. This new extension approach will build upon the platform of the well-established research verification method of technology transfer. Research verification is a specialized form of a result demonstration. In research verification, a team of research and extension experts develop a specialized protocol for production that is based on the best available science. Research verification has been shown to reduce the time from development of a new technology to its adoption. Research verification programs frequently demonstrate the higher yields and lower costs that can be attained by closely following recommendations from the latest research results.

OBJECTIVES: The specific objectives of this project are to develop the design-build extension delivery teams in two states (Arkansas and Kentucky); 2)implement on-farm R&D of two new production systems technologies (split-pond in Arkansas and conversion of decommissioned reclaimed water plants for urban aquaculture in Kentucky). Additional objectives include upgrades of technology for extension specialists and the use of upgraded technology to facilitate real-time information-sharing among extension specialists, researchers, and farmers to allow for rapid R&D adjustments to the new technologies implemented. Expected outcomes include: 1) development of new integrated model for rapid, cost-effective technology transfer; 2) install, monitor, and adapt new production systems on farms; 3)upgrade technological capability of extension system; 4) development and implementation of IT applications for real-time information sharing among cooperating farmers. This delivery method is expected to result in more rapid rates of technology adoption. Today's technology capabilities provide opportunities to move the research-extension paradigm towards far more rapid rates of adoption of the latest available research.

APPROACH: Project teams of research and Extension experts in discipline areas relevant to the specific objectives will be formed for each state. In Arkansas, the emphasis will be on the split-pond systems and intensively-aerated hybrid catfish ponds. The major questions are to quantify trade-offs among flow rates, water exchange rates, dissolved oxygen and ammonia, and the investment and operating costs. Kentucky will use decommissioned reclaimed water plants as urban aquaculture sites for hatchery, nursery, and grow out of paddlefish. Each project team will develop a detailed protocol that specifies management strategies and responsibilities of each cooperator. The protocol will include:1) pond/tank conditions, 2)type of feed, 3) water quality and flow measurements, 4) frequency and sample size of fish at stocking and harvest, and 5) investment and operating costs. The team will identify farmer cooperators and meet with each to review the protocol. This project emphasizes real-time data sharing. Data collected will be uploaded to a central workspace. Monthly teleconferences will be held with cooperating farmers and project team personnel. The extent of the project's impact will be affected by how rapidly the technologies. The adoption rate will be enhanced by intensive efforts to disseminate data and results. Quarterly information programs will be developed and packaged to be disseminated as quickly as possible to the broadest audience possible. A facebook page will be created, pictures will be posted, and links will be established with blogs, podcasts, the project web site, and a twitter feed will be established. A twitter page will be created to send quick text messages ("tweets") via smart phone or computer to alert "followers" to the availability of new information. A weekly blog (project journal) will be maintained for the project and will be linked to podcasts, webinars, the project website and the project facebook page, with a twitter feed. The principal metrics used for evaluation will be the number of farms adopting the technology (by date), the acreage devoted to the new technologies and the total production of fish under the new technology over time. Costs will be compared to costs of various production strategies, using traditional open pond technologies that have been published in recent years.

PROGRESS: 2012/09 TO 2016/08
Target Audience:Extension personnel nationwide, commercial fish farmers throughout the U.S. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Arkansas data were used for undergraduate and graduate students in classes Aquaculture, Aquaculture Lab, Advanced Aquaculture, and Aquaculture Facilities. In Kentucky, short video clips and presentations have been updated to a website (www.paddlefishfarming.com), a Facebook page (Paddlefish Farming), and a YouTube. A Ph.D. student has used the survey and field data and received Ph.D degree. He was also granted the 2015 Best Ph.D. Dissertation Award from the International Association of Aquaculture Economics and Management, the professional organization of aquaculture economists. A M.S. student is preparing a thesis using production data in conjunction with engineering perspectives under this project. A total of six undergraduate students were actively involved in collecting and analyzing field data, provided with opportunities that allow them to develop actual field skills and practical knowledge. With engineering and production data, an assistant professor and an extension specialist have had presentations in various regional, national, and international conferences and preparing two scientific papers to Aquaculture Engineering Journal. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Arkansas data are uploaded regularly to the Verification web site. In Arkansas, teleconferences have been held each year to summarize project results. A blog has been updated to chronicle progress made with new technologies, at Catfishyield.blogspot.com. In addition, a podcast on "Split-pond Aquaculture Production" is available for download on PodOmatic, embedded on the Catfish Yield Verification Blog and linked to Facebook and Twitter. Two short videos have been shared on the blog, Twitter and Facebook. There have been 14 Tweets as @FishFarmPro Tech plus dozens of retweets and aquaculture-related tweets from the P.I.'s personal twitter account. Three videos in relation to paddlefish production were posted at YouTube. Engineering and production results of split ponds and intensively-aerated ponds were presented in various conferences/seminars and will be published at a scientific journal. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

IMPACT: 2012/09 TO 2016/08
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: The project team of research and extension personnel in Arkansas has continued to collect more field and experimental data from split ponds. Using the data sets, nonlinear engineering models were developed and generalized for paddlewheel type pumps with eight paddles to design/construct split-ponds designs. The engineering models developed are as follows; - Expected power consumption (P, kW) = 1.05exp(0.04H + 0.32R + 0.07B -1.15), r2 = 0.9350 - Expected water flow rate (Q, m3/min) = -1.12H + 4.5R + 24.1B, r2 = 0.8247 Where, H: pond surface area (ha), R: rotational speed (rpm), B: wetted surface area of blades (m2). Research and extension personnel will use these models to size up appropriate paddlewheel type pumps, which allows for rapid and cost-effective technology transfer. Objective 2: Three additional split ponds have been designed and constructed in addition to 19 split ponds and six intensively-aerated ponds at five cooperating catfish farms in Arkansas since the last reporting period. In this reporting period, results of the design-build extension methods developed have been focused on management strategies of split ponds and adapted by more farms in Arkansas as follows: 1) new depth estimates in split ponds should be calculated at the beginning of each growing season to account for the changes, since solid waste and loose sediment was transferred from fish-culture area to waste-treatment area making the fish-culture area deeper and the waste-treatment area shallower; 2) since holding large biomasses of catfish in split ponds over the winter significantly decreases survival, they should be sold as soon as possible to help mitigate risk. Otherwise, they should be spread out to traditional ponds for growout the following year; 3) selectively grading off larger fish in early fall should be practiced, allowing for smaller fish to reach market size. Objective 3 and 4: The Arkansas data are uploaded regularly to the Verification web site (http://aqfi.uaex.edu/extension/verification/pages/default files/catfish verifi cation.htm). In Arkansas, teleconferences have been held each year to summarize project results. In late 2015, a teleconference with cooperating Arkansas catfish farmers was held to share results/observations of the advanced culture systems and discuss adaption plans. The results were sent to the farmers by email, which was the most preferred way for farmers to receive information. Also, the results were disseminated through a variety of social network such as Podcasts, Tweets, Blogs, Facebook. The blog that was created in 2013 has been updated to chronicle progress made with new technologies, at Catfishyield.blogspot.com (A total of 18 blog posts and 1,248 page views - 281 more views since the last reporting period). In addition, a podcast on "Split-pond Aquaculture Production" is available for download on PodOmatic, embedded on the Catfish Yield Verification Blog and linked to Facebook and Twitter. There have been 14 Tweets as @FishFarmPro Tech plus dozens of retweets and aquaculture-related tweets from the P.I.'s personal twitter account, with 16 followers. The project team of Kentucky State University has produced three technical videos that demonstrate reclaimed water reuse and decommissioned water treatment tank technologies for paddlefish production. The videos have disseminated the technologies through YouTube sites at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmEFfaeHmU8 (431 views), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38LLtHa0OJE (662 views), and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqPWGFn9jZw (300 views).

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2012/09 TO 2016/08
1. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Kumar, G., C. Engle, and C. Tucker. 2016. Costs and Risk of Catfish Split-pond Systems. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. Online published on April 6, 2016
2. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Luna, T., J. Park, and D. Heikes. 2016. The effect of screen sizes and culvert water return area on pumping performance of a paddlewheel water circulator in a split-pond test system (Oral presentation). World Aquaculture Conference, Las Vegas, USA. Conference Proceeding 489p.
3. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Luna, T., J. Park, L. Roy, and A. Kelly. 2016. Performance evaluation of split-pond systems operated at two different flow rates for production of hybrid catfish (Oral presentation). World Aquaculture Conference, Las Vegas, USA. Conference Proceeding 490p.
4. Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Park, J. T. Luna, L.A. Roy, and A. M. Kelly. 2016. Effect of Water Turnover Time on Hybrid Catfish Production and Water Quality in Split Ponds. Arkansas Aquafarming

PROGRESS: 2013/09/01 TO 2014/08/31
Target Audience: Extension personnel nationwide, commercial fish farmers throughout the U.S. Changes/Problems: No major changes. We are on track with this project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? To upgrade technology to design and implement an extensive system of technology-based communication and coordination among project leaders, farmers, and leading discipline experts for feedback that drives on-going modifications, improvements and refinement of the systems implemented. The Arkansas data are uploaded to the Verification web site. In Kentucky, short video clips and presentations have been uploaded to a website (www.paddlefishfarming.com), a Facebook page (Paddlefish Farming), and a You Tube (WAS 2013 paddlefish session). A Ph.D. student is using the survey conducted under this project as one part of his Ph.D. program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The Arkansas data are uploaded regularly to the Verification web site. In Arkansas, teleconferences have been held each year to summarize project results. A blog has been created to chronicle progress made with new technologies, at Catfish.yield.blogspot.com. In addition, a podcast on "Split-pond Aquaculture Production" is now available for download on PodOmatic, embedded on the Catfish Yield Verification Blog and linked to Facebook and Twitter. Two short videos have been shared on the blog, Twitter and Facebook. There have been eight Tweets as @FishFarmPro Tech plus dozens of retweets and aquaculture-related tweets from the P.I.'s personal twitter account. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue to follow our overall timetable and plan

IMPACT: 2013/09/01 TO 2014/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1:To develop and implement an integrated design-build extension delivery system to transfer new production technologies for fish farmers:Project teams of research and Extension personnel have been formed in both Arkansas and Kentucky and Proejct Coordinators named. Protocols for the program have been developed in each state and farmer cooperators identified. The design-build extension system has been in operation now since 2012. Objective 2: To install, monitor, and adapt new production systems technologies on commercial fish farms of varying sizes: New production systems have been installed on six intensively-aerated ponds and split ponds in 14 ponds on four cooperating catfish farms in Arkansas. In Kentucky, the technologies developed included paddlefish grown in monoculture ponds and cage culture of paddlefish (12 cages) with two producers in Kentucky. Data collection continues on production parameters and costs. Changes and adaptations that have been made on farms as a result of the design-build extension methods in Arkansas include: 1) decreasing stocking rates to obtain faster growth of fish; 2) feed records maintained as spreadsheets as opposed to hand-written data sheets; and 3) installing additional aerators to maintain minimum oxygen levels. Objective 3: To upgrade technology to design and implement an extensive system of technology-based communication and coordination among project leaders, farmers, and leading discipline experts for feedback that drives on-going modifications, improvements, and refinement of the systems implemented: The Arkansas data are uploaded regularly to the Verification web site. In Arkansas, teleconferences have been held each year to summarize project results. A blog has been created to chronicle progress made with new technologies, at Catfish.yield.blogspot.com. In addition, a podcast on "Split-pond Aquaculture Production" is now available for download on PodOmatic, embedded on the Catfish Yield Verification Blog and linked to Facebook and Twitter. Two short videos have been shared on the blog, Twitter and Facebook. There have been eight Tweets as @FishFarmPro Tech plus dozens of retweets and aquaculture-related tweets from the P.I.'s personal twitter account. Objective 4: To design and implement an innovative technology-based information dissemination system that takes full advantage of web conferencing, social media, podcasts, and interactive web-based tools to make project data available on an on-going basis to fish farmers, extension specialists, and research scientists throughout the U.S: A survey was conducted of adopters and non-adopters of new catfish production technologies in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi to identify current use of social media, preferred methods to receive information, and willingness to access electronic information. There were a total of 86 respondents to the survey. In all 76% of respondents used email, 53% used smart phones, 34% used apps with their smart phones, 17% had Facebook pages, 13% were on LinkedIn, 13% read blogs, but fewer used twitter (8%), webinars (6%), or Skype (3%). significantly greater percentages of adopters of new technolgies used all forms of social media. Of all respondents, 57% preferred to receive new research findings via E-mail, but 70% of adoptes prefered E-mail to newsletters or regular mail. Of the adopters, 44% were interested in teleconferences, 37% in webinars, and 41% in other forms of social media to receive research information. Much smaller percentages of non-adopters expressed interest in receiving research results via social and electronic media.

PUBLICATIONS: 2013/09/01 TO 2014/08/31
1. Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Recsetar, M. 2014. Update on split pond production. Cooperative Extension Program Publication. Arkansas Aquafarming 31:6.
2. Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Park, J., D. Heikes, M.S. Recsetar, and L.A. Roy. 2014. Performance evaluation and engineering considerations for a modular- and culvert-based paddlewheel circulator for split-pond systems. Aquacultural Engineering 61:1-8.
3. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Economic and investment analyses of alternate catfish farming technologies. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the U.S. Aquaculture Society, Seattle, WA.
4. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kumar, G. 2014. Economic comparison of split-ponds and intensively aerated ponds. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas, Hot Springs, AR, January 16-17.
5. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Kumar, G. 2013. Economic analysis of various split pond designs. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the Catfish Farmers of America, Little Rock, AR, February 14-16.
6. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Recsetar, M. 2014. Yield verification results from 13 split pond production systems in Arkansas. Abstract. World Aquaculture Society Meeting, Seattle, WA, February 9-14.
7. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Recsetar, M. 2014. Production results from a 2-year verification program of catfish ponds using intensive aeration (> 11.7 kwh/ha; 6.4 hp/ac). Abstract. World Aquaculture Society Meeting, Seattle, WA, February 9-14.
8. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Recsetar, M. 2014. Split-ponds and intensively aerated ponds: production and water quality. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the Catfish Farmers of Arkansas, Hot Springs, AR, January 16-17.
9. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Recsetar, M. 2014. Split pond production systems. Abstract. Missouri Aquaculture Association Winter Meeting, Jefferson City, MO, January 11.
10. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Recsetar, M. 2013. Verification results from 16 split pond production systems in Arkansas. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the World Aquaculture Society Meeting, Nashville, TN, February 21-25.
11. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Recsetar, M. 2013. Arkansas split-pond yield verification. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the Catfish Farmers of America Meeting, Little Rock, AR, February 14-16.
12. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Split-pond production systems. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the Baitfish and Ornamental Fish Growers Association. Lonoke, AR, February 7.
13. Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Commercial catfish production using the split-pond system. Abstract. Annual Meeting of the Midcontinent Warmwater Fish Culture Workshop, South Paris, AR, February 4-6.

PROGRESS: 2012/09/01 TO 2013/08/31
Target Audience: Catfish Farmers Arkansas - 160 Kentucky - 30 Changes/Problems: No major changes. We are on track with this project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? To upgrade technology to design and implement an extensive system of technology-based communication and coordination among project leaders, farmers, and leading discipline experts for feedback that drives on-going modifications, improvements, and refinement of the systems implemented. The Arkansas data are uploaded to the Verification web site. In Kentucky, short video clips and presentations have been uploaded to a website (www.paddlefishfarming.com), a Facebook page (Paddlefish Farming), and a YouTube (WAS 2013 paddlefish session). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The Arkansas data are uploaded to the Verification web site. In Kentucky, short video clips and presentations have been uploaded to a website (www.paddlefishfarming.com) a Facebook page (Paddlefish Farming) and YouTube (WAS 2013 Paddlefish Session). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Continue to follow our overall timetable and plan.

IMPACT: 2012/09/01 TO 2013/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1.Project teams of research and Extension personnel have been formed in both Arkansas and Kentucky and Project Coordinators named. Protocols for the program have been developed in each state and farmer cooperators identified. Objective 2. To install, monitor, and adapt new production systems technologies on commercial fish farms of varying sizes. New production systems have been installed on four cooperating catfish farms in Arkansas (three split ponds and one intensively-aerated pond) and with two producers in Kentucky. Data collection is underway on production parameters and costs. Preliminary analyses have been presented to stakeholders. Objective 3. To upgrade technology to design and implement an extensive system of technology-based communication and coordination among project leaders, farmers, and leading discipline experts for feedback that drives on-going modifications, improvements, and refinement of the systems implemented. The Arkansas data are uploaded to the Verification web site. In Kentucky, short video clips and presentations have been uploaded to a website (www.paddlefishfarming.com), a Facebook page (Paddlefish Farming), and a YouTube (WAS 2013 paddlefish session). Objective 4. To design and implement an innovative technology-based information dissemination system that takes full advantage of web conferencing, social media, podcasts, and interactive web-based tools to make project data available on an on-going basis to fish farmers, extension specialists, and research scientists throughout the U.S. A survey is underway in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi to identify current use of social media, preferred methods to receive information, and willingness to access electronic information. Survey results will be used as a basis from which to complete this objective.

PUBLICATIONS: 2012/09/01 TO 2013/08/31
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Squadrito, A., R. Cuevas and S.D. Mims. 2013. Intensive pond production of paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) in Kentucky. Aquaculture America 2013, Nashville, TN, February 21-25. Cuevas-Uribe, R. and S.D. Mims. 2013. Reuse technology opportunities for aquaculture at decommissioned wastewater treatment facilities for paddlefish fingerling culture. Aquaculture America 2013, Nashville, TN, February 21-25. Recsetar, M.S. 2013. Verification results from 16 split pond production systems in Arkansas. Aquaculture America 2013, Nashville, TN, February 21-25.